Ye Shaohua didn’t answer the researcher’s question. Her fingers continued flying across the keyboard as she spoke, “See here? This one, this one, and this—all hacked. The satellites we lost earlier were stolen the same way…”
The researcher stared blankly at her.
When Sui Yun walked in, his presence icy and detached, the researcher looked up dazedly. “Boss Yun… how did you even find Miss Ye?”
He was genuinely jealous. How the hell did Sui Yun stumble upon this treasure?
Sui Yun gave him a sidelong glance. “None of your business. But mind returning my person to me?”
Your person, my ass.
The researcher didn’t want to let her go.
But under Sui Yun’s gaze, he reluctantly backed down.
…..
“What’s wrong?” Ye Shaohua finally pulled her hands away from the keyboard and followed Sui Yun out.
The base was in a critical state. She knew Sui Yun wouldn’t seek her out for no reason.
“It’s Weiwei,” Sui Yun frowned. “Two second-tier ability users tried to assault her. Qifeng and the others fought back. Now those two are causing a scene in the square. This conflict’s been brewing for days.”
The situation was too messy—even Sui Yun hadn’t fully grasped it.
When Ye Shaohua’s people found him, he didn’t dare make a unilateral decision and came straight to her.
Hearing this, Ye Shaohua’s expression darkened.
…..
She quickened her pace to the square. Su Ran, Sumu, Weiwei, and the 200-odd people the safe zone had forcibly assigned to her were all there.
“Explain,” Ye Shaohua demanded, locking eyes with Su Ran—the only one still composed.
Despite their past camaraderie, Su Ran didn’t sugarcoat it: “During missions, some ignored orders. They hoarded zombie crystals, and one even killed a personal enemy and resorted to cannibalism. That guy, Abiao, targeted Weiwei when she was alone—teamed up with another to harass her.”
Ye Shaohua didn’t mince words. “Bring the rule-breakers forward.”
These weren’t disciplined soldiers. Chaos was inevitable. Only about a dozen were directly involved, but resentment against Ye Shaohua’s rules ran far deeper.
As the offenders were dragged up, protests erupted:
“Why should we hand over crystals we risked our lives for? This is tyranny!”
“No other base has rules like yours! Normies survive because we protect them—why can’t we take our due?”
“It’s the apocalypse! Every ability user does this—who still follows pre-war laws?”
This was the norm now.
Starvation had led to cannibalism in every base. Though officially banned, most turned a blind eye.
After months of privilege, ability users saw nothing wrong with their behavior. Ye Shaohua’s strictness earned no respect—only defiance.
…..
“Do you agree with them?” Ye Shaohua turned to Wei Qi, now a third-tier ability user.
Wei Qi had joined for power. On day one, Ye Shaohua had distributed attribute-matched crystals—catapulting many, including Wei Qi, to elite status.
Their newfound strength had emboldened the rebellion.
“Your restrictions are excessive,” Wei Qi said coolly.
She’d ignored Ye Shaohua’s orders too. Leading Sumu’s team after reaching third-tier, she’d sidelined Sumu and kept all crystals for herself.
Why should we surrender what we earned?
Ye Shaohua smirked and glanced at Sui Yun. “What about you, Chief Sui Yun? Same mindset?”
Sui Yun had been quietly observing her fury. At her question, he narrowed his eyes.
“Your approach is flawless. Collective strength is rising—that’s undeniable.”
The safe zone administrator, however, shrank back under Ye Shaohua’s gaze.
“They… aren’t entirely wrong,” he ventured. “Forcing them to surrender all crystals is a bit…”
Su Ran and the others scoffed.
The administrators resented Ye Shaohua’s resource control—conveniently forgetting the 50+ third-tier and 200+ second-tier ability users she’d created.
The first 300 recruits? Ye Shaohua had poured 200+ second-tier and 50+ third-tier crystals into them.
Not to mention the lab formulas she’d provided—each revolutionizing the base’s survival odds.
And those confiscated crystals? Redistributed to those in need. Ye Shaohua hadn’t used a single one herself.
Yet the administrator seemed to forget the batch of first-tier crystals she’d handed him just yesterday.
…..
“Good. So this is the consensus.” Ye Shaohua nodded coldly. “Su Ran, assemble everyone.”
Su Ran straightened and moved to gather the troops.
Wei Qi watched Ye Shaohua’s icy composure, mistaking it for surrender. A glint of triumph flashed in her downcast eyes.
No matter how strong you are, you can’t fight human nature.
But she misread Ye Shaohua entirely.
A sneer curled Ye Shaohua’s lips.
If not for the system’s “save the world” mission, would I even spare these fools a glance?
She’d aimed to uplift them all—unconditionally.
But since they despise generosity… Fine.
